Impact of Dog Adoption and Training in Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and/or Other Mental Health Conditions

Assessment of Biopsychosocial Indicators Linked to Canine Intervention Treatment Response in Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms and/or Other Mental Health Conditions

The goal of this single-arm study is to learn if a dog adoption and training program can treat, prevent in [describe participant population/primary condition; could include any of the following: sex/gender, age groups, healthy volunteers]. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does the dog adoption and training program decrease posttraumatic stress symptoms in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms?
• Does the dog adoption and training program decrease stress and improve psychosocial health in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms?
• Does the dog adoption and training program decrease inflammation, increase oxytocin, and change the structure and resting-state function of specific brain regions in veterans with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms?

Participants will:

• Attend eight one-hour professional dog training sessions within a 10-week period.
• Visit the clinical research unit four times during the study for data collection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Military veteran with self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and/or other mental health conditions
• Over 18 years of age
• Applied and approved to adopt a shelter dog for training through the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• English speaker (written and spoken)
• Home internet access via tablet, computer or smartphone.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Fear of dogs
• Allergies to pet dander
• Uncorrected hearing or visual impairment.